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Asia Defense
Singapore Navy Commissions First Two Invincible-Class Submarines
By Sebastian Strangio
The German-built boats are the first that have been custom-built for the congested tropical waters surrounding the city-state.
Great Power Competition and China’s New Era of ICBM Testing
By Rahul Pandey
The test launch of the DF-41 – China’s first ICBM test in 44 years – is yet another sign of the country’s growing military prowess.
The Decline of US Naval Power (and How It Can Make a Comeback)
By Joseph Kristanto
Decades of continuous sea blindness, increasingly isolationist tendencies, and post-Cold War budget cuts have left the U.S. Navy continuously shrinking year by year.
China Establishes Defense Mobilization Units Around Taiwan’s Outlying Islands
By Tai-yuan Yang
As part of broader preparations for war, China is expanding and streamlining procedures for national defense mobilization – including near Kinmen.
Bringing Strategic AI Collaboration to the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue
By Aiden Warren, Adam Bartley, and Charles T. Hunt
The TSD has fewer points of friction that could hinder practical collaboration due to the high strategic complementarity of Australia, Japan, and the U.S.
Chinese Aircraft Carrier Comes Closer Than Ever to Japan
By Mari Yamaguchi
Japan called the close approach of the Liaoning and its accompanying destroyers “absolutely unacceptable.”
The Worrying Nuclearization of Northeast Asia
By Bolor Lkhaajav
Despite tensions, the region has been free of state conflict for decades, but a realignment of the security architecture puts that hard-won peace at risk.
Japan’s Largest Warship JS Kaga Will Conduct F-35B Onboard Operation Tests off the California Coast
By Takahashi Kosuke
It’s a crucial step for Tokyo’s ambition to convert two Izumo-class vessels into fully-fledged aircraft carriers.
North Korea’s Naval Ambitions: A Strategic Shift
By Jihoon Yu
Historically, North Korea has focused primarily on developing land-based military strength. However, several factors are driving Pyongyang to enhance its naval power.
The Philippines-China-Vietnam Triangle and Limits of the ‘Friends and Enemies’ Maxim
By Huynh Tam Sang
Despite shared apprehension of Chinese expansion, Manila may get frustrated if it anticipates too much from Hanoi.
Why Do Singapore and China Cooperate on Joint Maritime Exercises?
By Ian Seow Cheng Wei
The naval exercises have become increasingly significant for Singapore, given China’s ongoing concerns about Singapore’s neutrality and Singapore’s concerns about tensions in the South China Sea.
US Air Force Deploys More Stealth Jets to Southeast Asia
By Christopher Woody
U.S. F-35s and F-22s have toured Southeast Asia twice this year, reflecting an American desire to increase training exercises with nations in the vicinity of the South China Sea.